Atlanta to Codify Privacy Rules for Flock Cameras and Surveillance Tech

Mayor Andre Dickens plans to introduce citywide legislation to govern the use of license plate readers and other public safety camera technology in Atlanta. The move aims to establish rigorous standards for data access, retention, and oversight across all city departments to prevent the misuse of surveillance tools.

The proposal follows a recent audit of 115,578 Flock license plate reader searches conducted by the Atlanta Police Department (APD) this year. According to reporting from FOX 5 Atlanta, the audit found a high rate of compliance, with APD flagging approximately 0.07% of the searches for further investigation into whether they adhered to existing policy.

To formalize these safeguards, the proposed legislation would mandate a tiered oversight structure. This includes monthly internal audits for systems deemed high-risk, quarterly reporting to the public, and a comprehensive independent compliance review conducted annually. Furthermore, the law would explicitly prohibit the use of city-operated technology for personal, commercial, viewpoint-based, or discriminatory purposes.

The Push for Transparency

This legislative effort arrives as automated license plate readers (ALPRs) face increasing scrutiny nationwide. In response to these concerns, the APD has already taken preliminary steps to tighten its internal operations. The department recently revised its policies to restrict system access for retired reserve officers and outside agencies, while also implementing its own monthly audit cycle.

By expanding these rules into citywide law, the administration seeks to move beyond departmental policy and create a legal framework that applies to any city government entity utilizing similar tracking technology. This shift is designed to ensure that as new tools are adopted, they are subject to the same transparency requirements regardless of which department deploys them.

Balancing Security and Privacy

The initiative represents a significant attempt to mitigate "function creep," where technology originally intended for specific law enforcement purposes is gradually expanded into broader, more intrusive surveillance. By requiring public inventories of technology and banning discriminatory use, Atlanta is attempting to maintain the utility of these tools for crime fighting while protecting civil liberties.

Mayor Andre Dickens stated that the goal of the legislation is to "balance the use of technology as a law enforcement tool with privacy protections and oversight."

Next Steps for Oversight

As the legislation moves toward introduction, the city will focus on defining the parameters of the "high-risk" systems that will trigger the most frequent audits. While the APD's initial audit showed a very low error rate, the new law would ensure that such checks are a permanent, legal requirement rather than a discretionary administrative action. Observers will be watching to see how the independent annual review is structured and which third-party entities will be tasked with verifying the city's compliance.